circle hooks

[soolinearcher]

what is everybody's view on circle hooks, I have read some reviews on them lately and they seem like the hook to use. I haven't been able to find any around, but i came across some this week in nipawin at Torch River Tackle, the owner talked very highly of them so i got some and took them for a test drive. They are definately a different hook set and something to get used to, the key is don't set the hook right away, let the fish really take the bait pull slightly feeling for weight and then lightly set the hook.

the cool thing about circle hooks is how much better it is for the fish, because of the shape it largely decreases the amount of deep hook sets and gill damage compared to the regular J hooks. One other thing I also found for barbless hooks it kept the leeches on better. and with barbless hooks it is better for keeping the fish on the line, because it is harder for the fish to roll of the hook.

heres a pic of a circle hook to the left and a J-hook to the right


post what you have found about circle hooks

[sonofagunder]

I like using circle hooks but you are right, they to time to get used to. A quick hook set will not work. I use them when boober fishing b/c all I have to do I slowly reel the line tight when the slip bobber goes under and the hook sets itself.

[Karl Lauten]

Congratulations on using the circle hooks and for posting the pics. Here are some comments to provide additional info and hopefully to stimulate discussions about these great hooks.

As shown in your pic, circlehooks have their points turned approximately at right angles to the shaft of the hook and the point may be offset (2-5 degrees) to the side slightly to facilitate catching on the fish lip or jaw. Their shape also reduces bottom snagging. The size of the gap between the point of the hook can vary considerablely so you can select the right hook for your bait and the size and species of fish you are after.

It was great to be able to chat with you and provide you with some circlehooks and some information about fishing circlehook tackle. You have made some very keen observations about these hooks and I am certain you will be rewarded both with more great fish and greater personal satisfaction at being able to release more fish essentially unharmed.
I started making jigs and various rigs with circlehooks last year after a year of reading and research and when I was finally able to get an assured supply of quality hooks made by several manufacturers. I was never able to find an assured source of quality circlehooks in Canada but did locate a few packages of 4-6 hooks each at grossly inflated prices (35-50 cents per hook!) in Saskatoon. As a wholesaler and manufacturer I now buy in circlehooks in bulk as well as prepacked for retail sale.....so I can say that circlehooks are now available in Nipawin, if no where else, at the local True Value and CoOp retail stores. I also just recently was able to place some circlehook jigs in the Canadian Tire Store in Prince Albert so I am slowly getting these distributed, albeit only in NE Saskatchewan so far.

Circlehook shapes and sizes vary between manufacturers so it takes some trial and error to get experienced with selecting the type and size that you most effectively match to the species you are fishing and the fishing conditions. I have caught walleye on sizes #6 to #2/0 (I debarb all my hooks) and prefer the larger sizes such as #2-1/0 as they are easier to bait up and will catch large or smaller walleye with less chance of being deep swallowed. The larger sizes also hold live bait better even when debarbed.
Indeed circlehooks are a bit different to fish, especially if you are seasoned angler with so may years of being taught over and over to set a "J" hook with a sharp jerk. For pike I make jigs and rigs with circlehooks in sizes 2/0-5/0 but stock larger sizes as well for custom rigs. Being patient enough to let the fish generate the right hook-setting tension on the line is not easy but with practice and discipline you will get rewarded with just as many fish and very few with any serious injury.

I recently found that bait fishing with circlehook jigs/rigs was made very simple by using a bobber. As fish pull away with the bait the bobber provides almost a perfect line tension and allows the circlehook to be set shallow in the fishes lip or jaw. Just letting the fish pull slightly and submerge the bobber seems to be the secret right signal to just lift your pole and maintain tension as you reel in. Even when made barbless these circlehooks hold your fish better than any comparable barbless "J" hook and they can be removed so easily and quickly. In short, they look like a great tool to reduce deep hook swallowing and the best hook for freshwater catch and release bait fishing. What a great system for teaching your kids a better way to fish and have them learn to catch and release fish with little injury! Without a bobber it takes a bit more skill to feel when the tension is just right for starting your retrieve (and I am still learning!). But, that's fishing......it differs from day to day, place to place so it takes some practice.
For additional info about how to use circle hooks have a look at the following website where Craig Kivi posts data for the Circle Hook Conservation Group:
http://goldendrake.com/category/circle-hooks/ .

I hope that others who have tried circlehooks will post their comments and experiences or any questions they might have about using these hooks.

[Nic]

Interesting...I'd like to try those out

[SilentArcher]

These sound like a really good idea. Next time I am fishing up around Nipawin I will be sure to stop in and buy a few. I am really into catch and release fishing so this would be a definite help in reducing deep hooksets and lost fish.

[SLIKASS629]

Soon in Ny for stripers these will be mandatory-not soon enough

[timbo9390]

Originally Posted by Karl Lauten

I started making jigs and various rigs with circlehooks .

Do you have a pic or two of the jigs and other rigs you make? I participate in a lot of catch and release and am very interested in this idea. Most of the barbs in my tackle are pinched. The high traffic ones anyway. Good post sooline and thanks for the info Mr. Lauten.

[henri]

Originally, I think this thread got started just before another one on the same topic, which dealt with a technique for removing a hook set deep in a fish's throat:

http://www.menoutdoors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6001

I forgot to post my experience this past fall after I used this technique on a northern that swallowed a plain lead head jig. Now, this was not a circle hook, but I could hardly believe how easy it was to get the hook out. I went in through the gills with a long needlenose pliers on the side that the hook shank was facing, turned the thing 180 degrees, and it just came right out. Unfortunately for the fish, I knew I was keeping him anyway....

[T-DAWG]

they work very well if u don't want the fish to get away
but harder to get out i have used them and still do went
i take someone fishing that don't like to set the hook
me myself lots of times i get rid of the barb even on plain
hooks i mostly catch and release but they definitely do
the job

[RiverRat242]

I like using circle hooks when I'm fishing for catfish, usually gets them right in the corner of the mouth. I haven't had as much using them for bass or walleye where you have to be a little more reactive to the bite, same for flathead. My experience is that if the fish are mouthing the bait they will sometimes feel the hook and spit it before the hook is in a proper place to set. But I certainly keep a nice range of sizes in my tackle box, just another bullet in the chamber.